Card of the Day: The Marriage of the Duke of Kent

The fifth child and fourth son of King George V and Queen Mary, Prince George, The Duke of Kent never had aspirations to ascend the throne, knowing that his elder siblings (especially, as thought at the time, his eldest brother “David,” later King Edward VIII and the Duke of Windsor) would take his father’s place. George was a complicated fellow with a taste for parties and living a fast-paced lifestyle, much to the chagrin of his mother, Mary of Teck, who was always shocked when her children didn’t display the same sensibilities that she held dear.

In 1934, Prince George married Princess Marina of Greece. The marriage—which was also a rather complicated pairing—produced three children, and ended with the Duke’s tragic and early death in a plane crash.

Their marriage is depicted in a card produced for the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary by Wills’s Cigarette Company.

The reverse of the card reads:

THE MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE OF KENT


Not since the Coronation had so many Royal guests been in London as graced the wedding of the Duke of Kent and Princess Marina of Greece at Westminster Abbey on November 29th, 1934. The event produced the most brilliant week the Capital has enjoyed since the War, and among the most signal demonstrations of affection the Royal House has known. London's uproarious greetings followed the Duke and Duchess of Kent as they left Paddington-where they are her seen-for Himley Hall in Staffordshire, and crowds waved continuously to the speeding train. From Birmingham, the way to the Hall lay under bowers of roses and was illuminated by torches.

This video shows a series of photos from the life of the Duke of Kent and his family.